Striking Quebec lawyers to be forced back to work

Quebec's provincial government said over the weekend that it would today table a special law to force government lawyers back to work.

olegdudko

More than one thousand government lawyers and notaries have been on strike since October last year to protest having worked without contracts for nearly two years. The striking lawyers want the same work conditions as public prosecutors and for their contracts to be submitted to binding arbitration.

Negotiations not possible

Treasury Board President Pierre Moreau said the Governmant has taken its stance on issue the dispute has now reached a point where it is 'no longer in a situation where negotiations are possible.’He went on to say that while the Government was acting in good faith, those on strike were not.

Final offer ignored

The Government made a final offer on Thursday to the association representing the striking lawyers, which is thought to have included a wage increase. It was the fifth offer from the Government in 18 weeks. However, the deal fell through after the disputing parties failed to meet over the weekend to negotiate.The door for negotiations will be left open until the back-to-work legislation is tabled today at 5pm. Sources: CBC; Montreal Gazette